Seeing this headline the day it came out, all I could do was shake my head in disbelief and sadness.
Aryanna Gourdin “Loves” Hunting
In the name of conservation, 12-year-old trophy hunter Aryanna Gourdin and her father, traveled to Africa (again) to kill helpless animals- err- hunt. After posting kill pics on social media and receiving backlash the young girl explained, “We love animals too. It’s just, we also love hunting. I would never back down from hunting.”
From the Mirror article:
“International Trade Policy Specialist Masha Kalinina said: “When we allow children to participate in trophy hunting, instead of teaching them to respect creatures we are teaching them that it’s okay to kill for kicks and that animals are worth more dead than alive.
Trophy hunting is cruel and does nothing to support conservation in Africa. Humanity and compassion is the kindest example we can set for the next generation. Trophy hunting is short-term financial gain for long-term loss, not just for the animal kingdom but also because killing off charismatic species deprives local economies of ecotourism opportunities.
In South Africa, for example, as much as 2% or more of the gross domestic product is generated by wildlife tourism while trophy hunting is estimated to bring in only .02% or less.”
(There is even a question about how much of that .02% makes it to organizations focused on conservation, rather than the of pockets of wealthy hunting operators.)
Her father, who brings her to hunt, is very proud of his daughter and believes their actions help the animals and the community (he also used to operate a meth lab- which he was jailed for- which perhaps highlights how he processes right and wrong).
Aryanna plans to return to Africa and kill a big cat.
We really hope she changes her mind before that happens. These big cats, all these animals, should be protected- NOT hunted for sport.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEwwjQssoPA
Source: Mirror UK
